Bah! amp out of action

During an extended listening session last night, I noticed a kind of screeching noise coming through the left channel at a lowish level. On closer inspection this morning, it seems that one of the power valves is making a mechanical noise which is being amplified to the speaker through microphony. To avoid amp damage if the valve blows, I have decided to take the amp out of action and have ordered some new valves. Unfortunately this means that I have no music until the new valves show up (which could be a while as I am ordering them from the states as they are miles cheaper from the US).

I suppose in future I should always carry a spare set of valves to avoid the problem of being without music

 

Bummer

I don't even have anything I can lend you, well a Teac mini system that will drive the 1sc and at least give you some music.

 

I know how annoying that is

I replace all my valves on a regular basis every few years. To my ears a just-burned-in set sounds sweeter than a set with 2-3 years use on them. I tend to keep at least one full set of 'used' ones as spare.....

 

bummer! it may be worth looking for a cheap integrated to cover this eventuality in future. rega, exposure, anatek, etc. might be worth a look. just a thought.
cheers

julian

 

Actually, I do have an alternative, a WAD Kit88 integrated - but that is playing up too

 

Neil,
What you need is a nice reliable Sansui (transistor) or dreadnaught-class Denon integrated for those toob-rolling moments.

 

What a bummer. There's some bargains to be had on Tott Ct Rd at the moment (summer sales and all that). You should be able to pick up something not too awful as a stopgap for a couple of hundred quid for cash.

-- Ian

 

all these solid state 'spare' things are more than a spare set of valves!?!

ps am suprised you couldnt source valves cheaply in the UK.. where did you try? (and what was the difference in price for the US? (must admit Ive never priced valves up in the US before))


Chris

 

Hi Chris,

I suppose I could easily source the valves in the UK and get them quickly, but as they are so much more expensive than buying from the states, I am too much of a tightwad to do it!

These are the guys I have used :-

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/thetubestore/index.html

Compare these prices with say watford valves. They are roughly $1 to £1 like so much hifi stuff, and with the dollar at $1.85 per pound it works out much cheaper.

So 6 x 6922 for $65, 4 x 6550C for $100 and $20 shipping (express delivery). And if I am lucky, I'll get away with paying VAT too.

 

I don't know of anyone in the UK that can do them for that price. There are some in Germany for marginally more www.tube-town.de for example.

Come on Chris where do you get your valves from so cheaply?

 

Hey, that *is* cheap! (even if you do get hit for VAT)

How long does delivery typically take? Might be worth a thought for the next 'maintenance' replacement - but if my amp was out of action I'm not sure I'd have the patience.......

 

Paul,

They were ordered during the weekend, dispatched yesterday and are being delivered tomorrow morning. Not bad from Canada!

I am using UPS express delivery at $35, so it's best to order lots at the same time to make it worthwhile, and you have to pay VAT too.

Cheers, Robbo

 

That's not bad at all !

Mind you I use PM Components - last time I put the order in online at lunchtime and the valves arrived the next day, so for speed that's pretty good

 

Cheers for those links to the tube suppliers. Might come in handy if the old JAN valves on my phono stage go.

 

If you are only buying a couple of valves, then it wouldnt be worth importing them as the shipping costs would be more than the valves. I'd use these guys instead:

http://www.tube-shop.com/home.asp

I am probably going to order some valve damping rings from these guys in the near future.

 

Robbo
I use the pearl tube coolers, and to me they did make a decent change.

 

Suppose its only my GZ32's and 300Bs which are expensive to replace anyway.

I use a local contact who gets me trade on my 300B's (and in fact would probably use him for other valves too).

When I shop-buy I use Wilson valves, Watford Valves, Langrex Supplies, CVC - calling all 4 and seeing who's got what in for how much..

I usually go to Wilson valves or Langrex in the end out of the 4.

I book marked tube-town for next time for price comparisons last time you mentioned it Lee! no flies on me hehehe

Chris

 

BTW did you know Langrex are closing down. This is what a tube guy near me told me a couple of weeks ago.

 

Really? did not know that.

The guy sounded really old on the phone, so am not totally suprised.

There may be some bargains if anyones after them.

 

Back in action

Well the tubes arrived this morning. When I finally got home from work, I replaced the old tubes and the amp is in fine fettle and sounding better than ever.

Top marks to the tube store for such quick service. They also sent me 4 'perfect pair' power valves at no extra cost. (This means that I can order new power valves specifying the perfect pair no. and I won't have to re-bias the amp as they will have the same paramaters as the current valves).

I'm off to listen to some music